Response of Maize Planted after Rice Harvesting to Site-Specific Nutrient Management with Organic Fertilizer at Kamphaeng Saen

Abstract

At present, maize production is being affected by various aspects of worsening climate change, especially drought. Drought in combination with improper nutrient management during maize production not only results in increased product costs but also leads to reduced productivity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of nutrient management and organic fertilizer on the response of maize that was grown in fields in Kamphaeng Saen from which rice had just been harvested. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications and 9 treatments were used. It was found that the application of chemical fertilizer based on crop removal tended to give the highest values for ear weight (2,134.55 kg/rai), ear without husk weight (1,736.28 kg/rai), husk weight (398.26 kg/rai) and grain weight (1,491.22 kg/rai). Next best was the application of chemical fertilizers based on soil analysis combined with organic fertilizer, and this system produced values of ear weight (2,070.20 kg/rai, ear without husk weight (1,723.94 kg/rai), and grain weight (1,464.72 kg/rai). In addition, site-specific nutrient management alone, or in combination with organic fertilizer, resulted in the highest N concentration in the grains and P concentration in the leaves. The highest K concentration was found in the stems. However, the use of chemical fertilizers alone or in combination with organic fertilizers also increased the concentrations of OM, Available P, Exchangeable K, Ca and Mg in soil after planting compared with levels in the soil before planting to a 20 cm depth. Finally, the application of chemical fertilizer based on crop removal increased yield and gave the highest economic return for maize production (10,461.24 Baht/rai).